Family Advocate and Mentor

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Want to help a refugee family adapt to life in the US and become self-sufficient? Apply to become a Family Advocate and Mentor (FAM). The Family Advoacte and Mentor will be paired with a refugee family who has not yet attained self-sufficiency to assist them in navigating the many challenges that they face in adjusting to life in America. FAM partners will work one-on-one with their assigned family to orient parents and children to US culture and ensure they acquire the tools to provide for themselves. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: • Meet with the family in their home on a weekly basis to provide support to the family and help with acculturation issues. This could include but is not limited to: helping the family arrange medical or social services appointments and/or providing transportation, helping decipher documents and fill out forms, advocate for them as issues arise with landlords, schools, etc • Identify the needs, assets, and interests of the family and facilitate activities based on your findings. This may include: tutoring English, teaching and/or receiving cooking lessons, helping the family obtain a library card • Plan free activities for the family to do and teach them how to coordinate participation. Ex: help enroll a family member in classes or activities at the local community center or school that relate to their interests • Provide guidance on American customs and etiquette REQUIREMENTS: COMMITMENT : Four months of at least two hours/week. These hours will be determined by the volunteer and their mentoring family. SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS: • Friendly and out-going • Able to work with minimal supervision and direction • Cultural sensitivity and awareness BENEFITS: Through this experience, volunteers and interns will have the opportunity to experience first-hand the difficulties related to navigating the challenges faced by new Americans. In addition, they will gain knowledge and experience of the non-profit and social services sector. This position is ideal for volunteers interested in pursuing social work of any kind. To apply, please email a completed Volunteer Application (available at alliance-for-africa.org/volunteer.php) and resume to coordinator@alliance-for-africa.org and gm@alliance-for-africa.org .